So Much South Dakota So Little Time

By Complete Travel Curation Team
October 31, 2024

So Much South Dakota So Little Time


Handwritten So Much South Dakota, So Little Time

Life May Be Short, But the Itinerary Doesn’t Have to Be

So, are you ready for 365 days of pure adventure? Ready for an itinerary that goes off the beaten path? No matter the season, new experiences await you in South Dakota. 

With 77,000 square miles of natural beauty, South Dakota’s wilderness is a year-round playground. The serene forests and mountains of the Black Hills offer endless room for hiking, biking, camping, and climbing. There’s also prime fishing, boating, and water recreation within the Missouri River, while the scenic overlooks and rushing waters of Palisades State Park provide an escape for every kind of outdoor adventurer.

South Dakota’s Great 8 landmarks also invite you to experience something unforgettable any time of the year, from the iconic Mount Rushmore to the brilliant colors and crystals of the Jewel Cave National Monument. And with a thriving dining culture in Sioux Falls plus tons of diverse options for arts & culture and lodging, your itinerary will never run short of things to do. 

So, what are you waiting for? Get more travel resources like a Free Vacation Guide and sign up for our eNewsletter. Or, download a free mobile-exclusive passport that invites you to win prizes while exploring unforgettable locations. 

Mike Gussiaas
Thu, 10/31/2024 – 12:52

Discover Year-Round Adventure


Slightly transparent photo showing sunrise on the rocks and trail at Sylvan Lake with the Black Hills behind and fading into the horizon.

So Much to Explore

So you wanna see new horizons? Find a little mystery? Trek new trails? Taste new cultures? South Dakota is a hidden gem, awaiting your discovery. The varied geography – open prairies and lakes in the east to the mysterious Badlands and sacred Black Hills in the west – is just one of the combinations that make South Dakota a place like no other. Pack your bags, say goodbye to the ordinary, and go.

Woman looking through viewfinder at Mount Rushmore National Memorial with carving and mountain in the background.

Explore the Great 8

Falls Park, Sioux Falls

Surprising Urban Getaways

An American Bison (known locally in South Dakota as

South Dakota’s Wildlife

Dad with daughter on his shoulders looking up at giant, life-like animatronic T.rex at the Children's Museum in Brookings, South Dakota.

Kid-Approved Attractions

Native American Wacipi–or powwow–dancers facing away and waiting in fading sunlight at the century-old Rosebud Fair, Wacipi and Rodeo.

Vibrant Native Culture

Lady and man marveling at rock outcroppings as they hike through on Cathedral Spires Trail.

Outdoor Adventure

Lone motorcyclists riding through lunar rock formations on Badlands Loop State Scenic Byway as seen from a trailing car.

Scenic Byways and Drives

The wide white brims of their hats frame a bull rider cowboys are watching from the gates at the historic Days of 76 Rodeo in Deadwood, South Dakota.

American West History

Charming old white barn with blue trim exterior that's been converted into a cabin rental.

Cozy Cabin Stays

With Each Season, a New Reason to Visit
A Momma Bison (buffalo as the locals still call them) and her young calf graze on spring grasses in Custer State Park in South Dakota

Spring

Bask in the renewing energy of a South Dakota spring, where adventure blooms for you to experience. As the snow melts, the Black Hills and Badlands provide the ultimate playground for hikers, campers, and wildlife watchers alike. Meanwhile, the warm breezes invite travelers to explore hidden gems, from scenic byways to serene lakes.

Discover Spring Activities

A couple enjoying a moment on a sailboat in smooth waters with the Missouri River bluffs in the background

Summer

In South Dakota, the summer forecast shows a 100% chance of adventure. Feel it for yourself by boating, fishing, or kayaking in crystal rivers and lakes. There are also summertime fairs & festivals that provide a taste of local culture, plus camping & hiking throughout the sun-soaked wilderness.

Discover Summer Activities

Country Apple Orchard

Fall

You can’t say “autumn” with “awe” in South Dakota, and it won’t take long to see why. For the leaf peepers, there are the indescribably colorful trees. For the little ones, there’s a whole lot of apple picking. And for those who want to get lost in the switchgrass, there’s some of the best pheasant hunting in the entire country.

Discover Fall Activities

A couple walking away from their Jeep towards Spearfish Canyon Lodge Resort tucked in the snow-covered Black Hills National Forest.

Winter

Think the winter season is no time for new experiences? In South Dakota, it’s never too cold to have too much fun. Come feel the rush of skiing, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing through gorgeous wilderness. Or, come slow down with a relaxing spa, a cozy cabin, or some fireside sipping.

Discover Winter Activities

Featured Events

Sometimes we need an excuse. Like if you have a place with such a concentrated collection of scenic drives connecting historic places and so many hidden gems, who wouldn’t want to invite hundreds of thousands of friends and have an event like the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and Races? Or, if you need to check on the health of your bison herd—and fall in Custer State Park is so lovely anyway—you invite anyone who wants to see 1,300+ buffalo rounded up and thundering across the open prairie. Have a beautiful historic old fort out on the Coteau des Prairies? Why not have a few festivals at Fort Sisseton, from the historic to the haunted, with a Frontier Christmas in between?

In South Dakota, so many iconic events celebrate the state’s diverse landscape, culture and history. You’ll surely find that perfect excuse to start planning your trip. 

Narrow Your Results




Showing 1 – 6 of 94

Planning Tools
Illustrated image of three bison grazing in Custer State Park. The Needles rock formation is visible in the background.

Order Your Free Vacation Guide

Find our Vacation Guide, state map, and other free publications to aid in your travel planning.

Order Your Guide Now

Woman Paddleboarder Palisades State Park

Sign Up for the E-Newsletter

Receive monthly inspiration about places to see, activities to try, and upcoming events.

Sign Up Now

Badlands landscape at golden hour

The Travel South Dakota Stories.

An all-new podcast that delves deep into the true heart of South Dakota, with the people and stories from this wild, free and ancient land.

Start Listening

This article: So Much South Dakota So Little Time has been curated from our friends at Travel South Dakota and the original in it's entirety can be found here: https://www.travelsouthdakota.com/so-much-south-dakota-so-little-time-0